Associate Degree & Certificate Requirements

Important Note: Students are responsible for knowing degree requirements and for staying informed regarding changes in their degree requirements.

Highline College offers three types of degrees and four types of certificates. Each has its own requirements and applications. Within these degree and certificate options, students may choose general or specific areas of study or disciplines. These more specific choices also have their own requirements and applications.

Associate of Arts (AA) degree

Associate of Science (AS) degree

Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree

Certificate of Completion (CC)

Certificate of Arts and Sciences (CAS)

Certificate of Proficiency (CP)

Short-Term Certificate of Achievement

Requirements Overview

Degree requirements are reviewed annually. The listing of courses and requirements is therefore subject to change; however, students have the option of using either the degree requirements listed in the Highline catalog at the time they enter the college or the requirements in effect at the time they apply for graduation.

Advisers are available to help students plan their programs. Students should stay informed of all program requirements, plan their programs carefully and meet with their advisers on a regular basis. It is also important for students to remember to apply for graduation at the registrar’s office two quarters before completing their coursework.

General Degree Requirements

Completion of a minimum of 90 college-level credits (courses numbered 100 or above);

A minimum 2.0 cumulative college-level GPA;

Completion of at least 23 of the total required credits at Highline with a minimum 2.0 GPA (known as the residency credit requirement);

Any course taken in the AA, AS, AAS degrees must be a D (1.0 GPA) or better.

Exceptions to General Requirements.There are no exceptions to the first two bulleted items above. Exceptions to the general graduation requirements must be approved by the Graduation Review Board for all degrees. This process includes submitting a petition to the registrar outlining the exception requested and the reasons for the request. The petition should be submitted with an “Application for Graduation/Request for Graduation Evaluation” form approximately two quarters before the planned graduation. Decisions of the Graduation Review Board are final.

Specific Degree Requirements

Each of the associate degree programs has specific requirements in addition to the general requirements. Students should review these requirements carefully with their faculty or educational advisers to make sure they understand the requirements for their desired degrees.

Exceptions to AA and AS specific degree requirements are requested by writing a petition to the Graduation Review Board. The petition should be submitted with an application for graduation, or as soon thereafter as possible. Such requests might involve course substitutions, waiver of a requirement or review of credits earned by examination.

Exceptions to AAS specific degree requirements must be approved by the program coordinator, who will then notify the Registration office of the exception.